RESPONSIBILITY

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
In view of the heated discussion that evolved out of the "Offering Information" thread I would be very much interested to hear what you , as parents, think the responsibility of a travel program should be in terms of the recruiting process.

1. Provide player exposure during game situations to college recruiters.

That is all that is required for 99% of players and their families. The resources to research academic opportunities are readily available to any one with internet access.

The responsibility for the remainder of the college decision is the players and his parents. Parents and players don't require or desire unsolicited opinions or interference regarding the players "fit" at a particular institution.

I know a control freak coach that attempts to micro manage recruiting to his detriment. Anything else is ego-driven interference that parents don't have the time or the need to deal with. Give the kid a place to play in front of recruiting coordinators. We'll handle the rest....all the rest.

IMHO since my son played for several with varying gradients of expectations and commitments...simply put to provide the level of support that they are capable of which is either verbally stated or part of their media guide.

We know most of the well known travel programs and of their reputations for deliviering on their explicit commitment of on field instruction and playing opportunities against top notch competition. We also are aware of their implied commitment to help the player in the process of getting exposure and possible assistance toward playing at the next level.

But it is never the responsibility for an agent to decide to cut off the presentation of a client from an opportunity. It is the agents responsibility to present both sides of an issue, advise by opinion and experience in knowledge of an opportunity and leave the decision up to the player whether to continue or end any possible discussion. Never should a player's opportunity be assessed for potential success or failure based upon ethnicity. In this country, I think that is illegal.
JMO

A college or pro scout asks about a player you as the coach tell them. In my experience they asked I sent them a schedule. they called I told them. What is the big deal. Yes I knew coaches and scouts and yes I put in a word here or there. I was a coach not a pr man

LL


I should have know it would turn this way but what the HEY---let it fly


Please do not use the term agent---travel teams are not agents

I think there are many different types of travel programs out there. Since you mention the recruiting process I will assume you are referring to what I will call "showcase" teams.

My expectations of a showcase/travel program was to provide an outlet that my son could be put in front of decision makers so that they could judge his baseball skill set to determine if he might fit into their program. That's pretty much it.

While I think my son's coach was very helpful in sharing his insight as to my son's abilities I always counted on our family to deal directly with the schools. I have seen other "showcase" teams that had coaches that considered themselves "college advisors". These coaches sometimes charged an extra fee and had a much more active role in talking to schools about the placement of players. This was not what we were looking for however I am sure they have helped players find a place to play after high school.

Put in a good word when deserved. Look for the positive, but don't make anything up. If you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything. The only exception to that would be warning a coach if there are serious problems such as criminal behavior on the part of the player that could lead to problems in the future and even in that case one should be very careful about passing that type of information along without being absolutely certain.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
In view of the heated discussion that evolved out of the "Offering Information" thread I would be very much interested to hear what you , as parents, think the responsibility of a travel program should be in terms of the recruiting process.

Provide a good schedule with exposure. Provide information on the recruting process and the responsibility of the recuit and his family. Be truthful and honest when asked questions regarding the players ability, personality, commitment, coachability, leadership. Provide other information only when asked by coach and then decide whether the questions asked would have bearing upon his playing ability, school work, etc. If you don't feel in your heart it is the right fit, no problem with discussing that with the recruit. Even if asked by the player to call to discuss certain things, it is the players responsibility to learn how to handle his own affairs.

Try to be unbiased towards his options. If you have a good relationship with that coach, that doesn't mean the recruit will. If you don't like the climate of the school, that doesn't mean he won't. Let him make his own pro and con list. Guide him in the decision if his parents are unable. This is the time that all issues can be discussed, but it is the recruits ultimate decision to make that decision. It is not the coach's responsibility to speak on his behalf to the recruiting coach regarding issues that you as a coach may forsee may exist in the future, this is something to discuss with your player.

Many travel coaches become very close with their players, I know this because my son was very close with his coach and still is to this day. He had an issue with one school recruiting him, they discussed it openly and son called the next day to tell them no thank you. There was no need for any discussion on the coaches part.

A travel program provides a venue, the rest is up to the player, and if he performs, the rest is up to the family and player as far as recuiting efforts.

If the player doesn't dominate, or standout amongst his peers, the rest is basically moot.

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:
A travel program provides a venue, the rest is up to the player, and if he performs, the rest is up to the family and player as far as recuiting efforts.

If the player doesn't dominate, or standout amongst his peers, the rest is basically moot.

Nicely said OS8 .

How many guys on that travel team? Do you think all are going to be treated equally by the coach in regard to recruiting? Doubt it. With some exceptions the travel coach has a day job and cannot give the 100% needed for recruiting purposes for the entire team. Also, human nature MAY say that a coaches ego will promote better service to those with higher profiles and bigger school potential. After all those are the notches on his belt that indicates success.

Responsibility? I'm like Old Slugger8 --- I don’t see it as a team’s responsibility to be much more than a team and those things that physically makes a team a team. You know a field, schedule, coach, practice, teammates etc. The best known teams (national powerhouse) may have all the best of the above but the one thing thaey have is talent. I think a big problem in youth sports is every one feels as if it is the team’s responsibility to “make” great players when in fact it is the other way around. Great players combined with a great coach should make a great team. They attract coaches and scouts --- they don't have to hope they are going somewhere that they will be seen. Parents and players select teams for different reasons but in my opinion it should be to play the game at the highest level they can compete. If you do that, and play to win --- you will get your due reward. All those things that we talk about needing in the recruiting phase --- the exposure, the player’s reputation, the confidence results from playing at a high level and establishing yourself as a competitor within that level.
Don't just jump out and get on a well established national powerhouse --- it doesn't quite work that way. Coaches pick their teams too and they only pick the best players.

There are times when there is other than a good player on a good team:

1. If you are a weak player and happen to get on a quality team you will not get exposure, confidence, or a reputation (at least not a good one). You may not even get any playing time.

2. If you are a good player on a weak team then you have not found the right fit and will not get your due rewards. A weak schedule and poor reputation from past performance will hurt your chances of being seen.

3. If you are a weak player on a weak team you will have fun because you are playing the game. Enjoy it but you may be in your final years of playing baseball.
Fungo

TRhit, I'm sorry.........

Here's an opinion from the perspective of a parent of a 15U player who is part of a well-known long running travel program.

If it turns out that my son is good enough to continue to play in this travel program, then I expect several things from the program, besides develpment of baseball skills, as my kid moves along. I believe that the program has plenty of experience, knowledge, network connections, and the willingness to accomplish all of these.

1. Participation as a team in events which will give the players exposure suitable for their level.
2. Advice on the timing and selection of individual showcases.
3. For any players who are sufficiently skilled to warrant consideration for invitation-only (but not team based) events, to nominate the players for the event.
4. Frank and informed opinions on the level of college ball (if any) which is appropriate for individual players.
5. Frank and informed opinions on the fit between individual players' personalities and various colleges and their baseball programs. Obviously, the travel coaches can't know every college program.
6. A sense of the likely longevity of at least a few of the college coaches.
7. If asked, provide to college coaches an accurate appraisal of each player's capabilities.

This may seem like a lot, but much of it requires experience rather than a large amount of time or effort. I certainly don't expect the program to "oversell" players or to sugar coat a player's ability or personality. To do so would eventually undermine the credibility of the program, and likely lead to a poor fit between player and college program.

I like 3FingeredGlove's list. My son's select director did most, if not all of the things listed, including writing letters of recommendation to programs my son was interested in -- but only because he thought my son was a good fit for them. One of the coaches he wrote emailed this comment back: "I really appreciate your assessment of Ben- you have always been very honest with us in the past so we take what you say very seriously."

A few parents on my son's team thought the director should have done more, such as putting in personal calls to promote his players and actively marketing their sons months after the summer and fall seasons were finished.

When my son was evaluating two different programs and had a hard time sorting through the pros and cons of each, it was good to hear the director's informed opinion about both schools. His perspective was helpful for our son as considered who to play for.

From my perspective, a summer travel program provides a schedule against the best competition (other top travel teams) they can find. If the team does that, the scouts and recruiters will be there.